Wig



July 5, 1927. f v 1,635,099

L. A. sElLAz l Filed sept. 11. 192s fig/f, 3

jd V575 wwf/V Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES,

1,635,099 PATENT oFF-lcs.

`LEON A. SEILAZ, 0F ZRICH, SWITZERLAND.

' WIG.

Application filed September 11, 1923, Serial No. 662,130, and in Germany September 16, 1922.

The invention relates to an improved wig or hair crown substitute, also called toupee7 but hereinafter called the wig, more particularly intended for men, for the purpose of concealing baldness. Hitherto, wigs have been made of silk fabric and gauze into which hair is drawn in and knotted. Such wigs were secured at several points of the head by means ofglue. This method of fixing has notgenerally proved satisfactory, the wigs frequently get loose as for instance when taking olf the hat. Moreover these wigs let moisture through, whether it be perspiration from the scalp or water etc., they quickly lose their shape and must be frequently altered and fitted to the head. The wigs had to be taken down at-night and the hair could not be combed like natural hair.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate these and other drawbacks, this being' done in the manner which will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

ln the drawing, Figs. 1-4 illustrate the means for making a head form. F ig. v5 shows in section a portion of the hair crown substitute on a greatly enlarged scale.

The hairs 25 are drawn into a shaped part or form A (Fig. 5) which lits the head exactly and consists of several superposed pieces of fabric 17 to 23. The hairs 25 are tied in a well known manner the knots being at the second lowest layer 18, whilst the ends or points of the hairs are drawn through the fabric layers 19423 above them and are thus given the position of natural hairs on the head. rlhe knots of the hairs are under the second lowest fabric layer 18. The lowest fabric layers 17 and` 19 are rendered waterproof by means of a rubber compound or in some other way. Impregnation with rubber causes the fabric to 'retain the shape oncel given to it (which shape should tit the shape of the head as exactly as possible) and prevents water etc. from getting to the hair knots, so that it cannot get accidentally loose. The knots of the hairs passing through several surposed layers of fabric and consequently through a fabric layer 3 to 4 mm. thick, cannot therefore be combed out as there are no knots on the upper fabric layer 23 with which the comb comes into contact. As the hairs have the'position of the hairs naturally growing on the scalp, they like natural hairs, can be given at will 'a position with a parting at any desired place. lVigs adhere properly to the head only when they fit the shape of the head exactly so 'that the air between the head and the lwig escapes when the wig is placed on the head, and a vacuum is produced und-er the hood. Moreover, to make the adhesion more secure, adhesive should be used, which vcan be distributed over the whole surface of the substitute. As its lowest fabric layer is waterproof, the adhesives cannot pass to the outer layers.

'llo prevent the finished wig from quickly losing its shape,l the various layers of fabric 17 to 23 are superposed in such a manner that the warp threads of the various fabric layers cross each other. If the warp threads of one fabric layer extend in one direction, those of the next layer should be for instance at right angles, to them, and so on.

In order to enable the shaped part or form A to be given the correct shape, a gypsum cast is made of the head, the proceeding being substantially as follows:

The `hairs are first of all combed away from the bald patch, whereupon a cap 1 (Fig. 1) made of tissue paper is placed on the head, above the said cap is placed a hood 2 made of bobbinet, which can be pulled tight over the head.' Such hoods can be found on the marketv and are generally used for pressing the hair close to the head. On the hood is then placed a gauze 3 filled with gypsum which had been previously well moistened, and this gypsum gauze is pressed tight on the head. Round the head, at the place where its diameter is-maximum, is placed a glued band 4 (Fig. 4) so that the glued side is facing outwards, and not towards the head. A second band 5 is placed over the head in the'directionV of the nose, and its two ends are secured to the glue band 4. A third glued band 6 is placed round the head. The ends are secured together. On the said bands is then placed a thin metal hood 7 (Fig. 4). This hood 7, when flat, has the shape shown in Fig. 4. Numerous recesses or cuts are made in the metal so that a large number of strips 8 are produced. The metal is then placed on the head so that the back of the hood lies on the band 5. The single strips 8 of the hood 7 are then pressed flat along the head and become glued to the band 4. When the said strips 8 are bent to lit the exact shape of the head, and y scoured to the glued band 4, glued llO bands 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are laid over the strips, so that they face with the glued side the metal and secure the single strips 8 in their relative positions. The bands 11 to 16 are then fixed to the band 6. The band 6 is then cut, the mould lifted off from the head and the mould thus formed is thereupon used for making a head model by casting gypsum into the mould. On the head model thus made are then placed in a well known manner the fabric layers 17 to 23 (Figm) so that the Wig or hair substitute is given awell itting shape.

If after a prolonged use the uppermost l fabric layer Q3 of the toupee becomes dirty,

etc., it can be pulled oil'. Experience shows that the wig adheres so firmly that the person wearing it can swim etc. and do any ordinary Work. Italso makes it possible to dress the hair with assistance of Water etc. The hair may be Washed on the head.

To absorb sweat a piece of absorbent fabric like gauze,v tulle etc. may be placed between the wig and the scalp.

Vhat 1 claim by U. S. Letters Patent is:

A wig comprising a shaped element composed of a plurality of superposed layers of fabric, arranged with the warp threads of each layer at an angle to and crossing those of the next adjacent layer, and knotted hairs y arranged with their knots between two of the layers, said hairs extending Out through the outer layer.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature.

LEON A. SEILAZ, 

